Social Media Buzz Weekly: Roundup of Social Media Updates
Welcome to Social Media Buzz Weekly, your weekly bulletin of the latest social media updates. With the social media landscape evolving with each passing day, it can be challenging to keep a tab on the rapid developments. Well, not anymore, as we have taken it upon ourselves to keep you abreast of every happening in the social media space.
So, without any further ado, let’s look at some of the most significant developments from the last week in the world of social media.
1. Meta Faces $25 Billion Fine Over Privacy Violations
A New Mexico judge has ordered Meta to pay $25 billion after a jury found that the company misled consumers about its data privacy practices.
The ruling followed a lawsuit alleging that Facebook made false representations about how it collected, protected, and shared users' personal information, alongside its handling of misinformation and hate speech. The jury identified more than 43 million violations of the state's consumer protection laws. Meta has said it intends to appeal the decision, setting the stage for a potentially lengthy legal battle.
2. Meta Says Shopping Is Muse's Primary Use Case
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg has identified shopping as the primary use case for its Muse AI assistant, with more than 25% of users seeking help finding deals and making purchases.
Speaking during the company's Q3 earnings call, Zuckerberg revealed that Muse had surpassed 10 million downloads in the US and Canada, with the average purchase facilitated through the platform exceeding $200. Meta is looking to turn Muse into a significant commerce channel, potentially generating revenue through transactions while expanding its AI ecosystem. The company is also developing additional privacy safeguards for the assistant.
3. Meta Brings Edits to iPhone Duo and Tests Desktop Version
Meta has expanded its Edits video editing app with dedicated support for Apple's foldable iPhone Duo while testing an upcoming desktop version with selected creators.
The updated mobile interface adapts to the device's larger folding screen, allowing users to edit and preview their video timelines side by side. Meanwhile, the desktop version offers a more expansive workspace, enabling creators to manage multiple editing elements on one screen. Instagram head Adam Mosseri described the desktop experience as a foundation for future features, signalling Meta's broader ambitions for its creator-focused editing platform.
4. Instagram Tests New Long-Form Video Features in the US
Instagram has begun testing new long-form video features with selected US creators, expanding its offerings beyond short-form Reels.
The new Features format allows videos of up to 90 minutes, creating opportunities for podcasts, interviews, vlogs, and other extended content. The platform is also testing Clips as Reels, which lets creators link up to eight shorter Reels to a longer video, alongside a Series feature for organising episodic content. The updates reflect Instagram's growing push to attract longer viewing sessions and offer creators more ways to engage audiences.
5. Snap Taps Robert Downey Jr. to Promote Specs
Snap has appointed actor Robert Downey Jr. as the honorary Chief Customer Experience Officer for Specs, its augmented reality glasses business.
As part of the partnership, Downey Jr. will create original video episodes demonstrating the device's capabilities across activities such as work, golf, entertainment, and creative pursuits. He will also collaborate with the Specs team on new features, hardware experiences, and AR Lens development. The move forms part of Snap's efforts to generate consumer interest in its wearable technology and make its AR offerings more accessible ahead of the holiday shopping season.
6. Snapchat Report Highlights AI Users' Privacy Trade-Offs
Snapchat has published new research examining how consumers balance privacy concerns with the convenience of AI tools. Conducted with Ipsos and WPP, the survey covered 4,261 monthly AI users across five markets, including the US, UK, India, France, and Saudi Arabia.
The findings suggested that users were increasingly comfortable sharing personal information when AI services offered clear benefits. However, 70% of respondents considered the use of personal data in hyper-personalised AI advertising intrusive, while 56% viewed entirely AI-generated content as soulless. The findings highlight the importance of trust and transparency in AI adoption.
7. Pinterest Introduces New Programmatic Buying Solution
Pinterest has launched Programmatic Deals, a new advertising solution that allows enterprise advertisers to purchase its display and video inventory through third-party platforms.
Facilitated by Magnite, the offering provides access through major demand-side platforms, including Amazon Ads DVA+, Google Display and Video 360, and Yahoo DSP. The move allows advertisers to incorporate Pinterest placements into their existing media campaigns without having to manage separate platform-specific purchases. Available across North America, South America, and Asia Pacific, the initiative aims to expand advertiser access to Pinterest's high-intent audience and strengthen its position in the programmatic advertising market.
8. LinkedIn Tests Simplified Interface Across Desktop and Mobile
LinkedIn is testing a simplified interface across its desktop and mobile platforms to make navigation more intuitive.
The updated design consolidates related functions into fewer menus, bringing profile analytics, saved posts, account settings, and managed pages together under a central 'You' section. On desktop, the platform has also reorganised its navigation, introducing a 'More' menu for features such as newsletters, events, groups, and video. LinkedIn is additionally testing longer text previews in the main feed, allowing users to read more of a post before clicking to expand it.
Wrapping Up
And that was a wrap of this week’s Social Media Buzz. We’ll be back next week with more news and updates for you from the social media world. Till then, stay tuned!
If you want to read more on the latest developments taking place in the social media space, take a look at ClickInsights’ Social Media Buzz, wherein we bring to you monthly reports on everything going on in social media, ranging from platform updates to policy changes that influence the way we market.
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